Sir Paul unveils heartfelt painting

McCartney first exhibited his art in September 2000

Sir Paul McCartney has unveiled a painting dedicated to Heather Mills, who he is marrying this summer.

Big Heart will go on display at Liverpool's Walker Gallery on Friday as part of the UK's first comprehensive exhibition of the former Beatle's paintings.

McCartney recently completed a US tour

The painting, which is one of only a few works he has completed since meeting his fiancée, consists of a large red heart-shape containing the etched figure of a female nude.

Michael Simpson, curator of the Walker Gallery exhibition, said: "The life work of Paul McCartney is all about heart.

'Pride'

"Without heart, art is not art - it is meaningless.

"Heart is epicentral to Paul, and to what people - particularly Liverpool people - feel about Paul."

He added: "There is pride in our hearts that the gallery through which Paul first wandered as a schoolboy with John Lennon can mark his passionate creativity with this show."

The engagement was announced in July 2001

The exhibition, which includes 70 paintings alongside wood sculptures and photographs, will be launched with a party on Thursday evening.

Jo Cooper, the gallery's communications manager, described Big Heart as "iconic of McCartney".

"Liverpool has always been in the heart of McCartney - he has never forgotten his home town, nor how from his roots here he and his pals would effect changes in the hearts of the world together.

"Paul McCartney has always sung about love and now he is painting it. This exhibition is symbolic of the man and of his moment in our time," said Ms Cooper.

Sir Paul recently completed a long US tour which saw him drawing on the whole of his prodigious catalogue, from the early Beatles period onwards.

He is also one of the stars lined up to perform for the Queen's Jubilee Party At The Palace on 3 June.